Five things we learned in Week 6: Jeannette, Clairton anticipating Week 9 meeting

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, October 6, 2018 | 8:45 PM

In 19 days, Clairton visits Jeannette’s McKee Stadium for a Week 9 rivalry game that could decide the Eastern Conference champion and probably the No. 1 seed in the WPIAL playoffs.

The teams, which have combined for 22 WPIAL titles, showed again Friday night they’re likely the best two teams in Class A.

But maybe that shouldn’t be a surprise.

Top-ranked Jeannette entered the season as the defending champion and preseason favorite, but Clairton wasn’t as much in the conversation.

“A lot of people seem to be sleeping on Clairton,” Jeannette coach Roy Hall said. “Clairton is undefeated and playing very well. I guarantee you they’ve got a chip on their shoulder because all they were hearing was Jeannette and Imani Christian and OLSH. Nobody was saying anything about Clairton. Let’s be truthful. Up until last year, Clairton owned everything.”

Clairton defeated conference rival Imani Christian, 45-18, on Friday night, showing this no-name Bears lineup might be just as dangerous as those with superstars Tyler Boyd or Lamont Wade.

“People don’t think so because you don’t hear the big names,” Clairton coach Wayne Wade said. “It’s a good football team, and we’re still fairly young.”

2. Small stature, big talent

Central Catholic has a history of small running backs who produce big numbers. Among them, Eugene Jarvis at 5-foot-5 and Damion Jones-Moore at 5-7 starred in the backfield and later played Division I football.

Now, Eddy Tillman might join that list.

The 5-7, 155-pound sophomore led all WPIAL rushers this week with 330 yards on 29 carries and scored four times in Friday night’s 35-16 victory over Norwin. Tillman had touchdown runs of 17, 70 and 85 yards, and he also scored on a 47-yard reception.

This was only the fourth game this season for Tillman, who transferred from Westinghouse. He sat out Central Catholic’s first three games while waiting to be ruled eligible.

“He’s not very big, but he’s got some good speed and some quick feet,” Central Catholic coach Terry Totten said.

3. Gateway offense still has bite

If anyone expected Gateway’s offense to stumble after Brady Walker graduated, quarterback Brendan Majocha has proven them wrong. Majocha, asked to replace the second-leading passer in WPIAL history, has thrown for 1,210 yards and 16 touchdowns as a first-year starter.

The senior passed for 246 yards and accounted for six touchdowns in Friday’s 63-3 victory over Franklin Regional. Majocha rushed for three scores and passed for three more , including a 73-yard completion to Courtney Jackson .

“We knew he was going to be good. He just hadn’t done it full-time,” Gateway coach Don Holl said. “He’s very accurate and a very smart kid who understands everything that we’re doing really well.”

Gateway (7-0) is ranked first in WPIAL Class 5A.

4. A record doesn’t tell story

A 2-3 conference record won’t make Baldwin celebrate, but the Highlanders’ three losses should give them reason for optimism.

Their most recent was a 29-26 loss Friday to fourth-ranked West Allegheny on a late touchdown pass. Baldwin led 26-21 in the fourth quarter. The team’s earlier losses were by only a touchdown to No. 5 Upper St. Clair, 28-21, and a 12-0 loss to Woodland Hills at the Wolvarena.

A year ago, Baldwin went 1-8 overall, 0-8 in the Class 5A Allegheny Eight Conference, and was outscored 122-29 by those same three opponents.

5. Conferences headed for three-way ties

The WPIAL might need to order a few more conference champion plaques.

After wins Friday night by North Catholic and California, it’s looking likely that more than one conference could end the regular season with a three-way tie for first place. The Class A Tri-County South, the Class 3A Big East and the Allegheny Eight could have tri-champions if today’s top teams win out.

However, Bethel Park could shake up the Allegheny Eight standings with matchups ahead against Upper St. Clair and Peters Township.

Chris Harlan is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Chris at charlan@tribweb.com or via Twitter @CHarlan_Trib.